In this installment of our "Meet the Team" series, we have the pleasure of speaking with Victor Evensen, a Partner at Credo. Victor offers a glimpse into his professional background, his motivations, and his personal interests that influence his work and life.
Join us as we get to know more about Victor and his contributions to Credo.
Tell us how you came to join Credo?
The original plan was to work within real estate development. I started my career in London with Macquarie Capital, focusing on infrastructure investments. However, I soon realized that the real value creation and innovation I was looking for were more about people that make up dynamic organizations and less about the assets. When the opportunity at Credo opened up during the financial crisis, I was fascinated by the team and their capacity, as well as the hands-on investment model. The close involvement with operations and the multifaceted nature of developing living organisms really appealed to me.
What drives you in your current role?
It's the desire to create and develop good and lasting companies. When we invest in a founder-led company, there's already something solid there, but we help to refine and focus the strategy. It's about zooming out, identifying the company's core strengths and opportunities, and formulating a clear, strategic direction. Working in trinity with founders and management to formulate and execute these strategies and seeing the impact of our collective efforts is incredibly fulfilling.
Do you have a specific industry focus or interest area?
My background in finance has gotten me involved in many of Credo’s investments across several industries, but I have focused more and more on industrials and business services. Over time, as you gain experience in certain industries, you tend to identify more opportunities and also get more leads within those areas. For instance, I have been deeply involved in the development of both Optimar and MMC which deliver solutions to the fisheries and aquaculture industries; and in creating new platforms within the technical installations and healthcare sectors.
What does a typical day look like for you?
As a partner, my calendar is typically filled with meetings, from following up with management and internal team discussions to meeting new companies and handling board and investor meetings. A typical day involves a lot of interaction and strategic planning on how our companies can evolve and adapt, leaving less time for producing Excel sheets and PowerPoint slides.
And what about a not-so-typical day?
A non-typical day for me is when I have no meetings scheduled. Those rare days allow me to focus on tasks that have been on my to-do list for too long. It's also a chance to produce something meaningful in peace and quiet, and to enjoy the occasional Excel-modelling.
Where can we find you outside of work?
When I'm not at work, I'm at home with my wife and three kids, aged 10, 6, and 2. I also love being out in nature, especially skiing and hiking in the mountains. I recently got back from my annual trip to Åndalsnes, trekking up and skiing down the mountains, which was incredibly refreshing. To me, it’s the perfect combination of physical exertion, nature experience and adrenaline.
What might others be surprised to learn about you?
As someone who enjoys a bit of adrenaline and pushing myself physically, I think most people who know me would be surprised to learn that I was an active curling player. Although I didn’t take it very far, I bet I can sweep the kitchen floor faster than most PE-professionals.
How do you challenge yourself?
Working at Credo is a constant challenge, but intriguingly so. Every day brings something new, and doing things you've never done before is inherently challenging. It drives me to push my limits and achieve more. The dynamic nature of our work ensures that I'm always learning and growing.
And now for our classic last question: which three emojis would you say describe you the best?
😊 🤗 🤔
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